Raj Thackeray is the new Jinnah, says Sena chief

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Wednesday described Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray as the new Mohammad Ali Jinnah and said his estranged nephew was intent on dividing Marathi people.

"The British incited Jinnah and forced him to divide India. Now, a new Jinnah at home is dividing Marathi people," Thackeray said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.

He blamed the Congress for encouraging Raj, saying the party cherished a dream of dividing Marathis and gaining power. The Congress is using parties like MNS to fulfil the dream, he said.

"But their politics is horrible than that of Muslim League. The League at least openly demanded Pakistan by dividing India," he said.

"Jinnah was used by the British to accomplish partition. The Congress is also using 'this Jinnah' (Raj) to divide Marathi people. What else can be expected from him (Raj), who is intent on dividing Marathi people?" Thackeray said.

Maharashtra is united under the saffron leadership of the Sena and would not be divided easily, Thackeray added.